Corryville Kroger's closure brings windfall to charities

Two charities share in donations

There's one fewer places to go Krogering, at least for the next year.The store that serves University of Cincinnati students and people in Corryville closed over the weekend to make way for a brand new store. But in the meantime, those shoppers may have a tougher time getting what they need.

The store that serves University of Cincinnati students and people in Corryville closed over the weekend to make way for a brand new store. But in the meantime, those shoppers may have a tougher time getting what they need.

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The parking lot of the Corryville Kroger was packed Monday, but there were no customers were inside.

Instead, carts were being overloaded as workers cleared out the last few things on the shelves. Dog food is headed to the group Pets in Need, other items to a shelter and food pantry.

“This is tremendous. Kroger has been so good to us over the years, but the retail value of this particular donation is about $5,000,” said Patricia Wakim, Executive Director of the Over the Rhine and Walnut Hills Soup Kitchens and Pantry.

A new Kroger is coming. one that’s double the size, with a lot of extras the old store didn’t have. The $20-million investment is a welcome change for UC students, but building the new store is will take a year.

That means people who relied on the store will have to find someplace else to go. Other Kroger stores in Walnut Hills, Over the Rhine, and near Mitchell Avenue are just a few miles away.

But that’s a long way off, if you don’t have a car.

“It’s a little bit inconvenient, but it’s not that bad,” said UC student Caroline Zettler. “The other Kroger is only like 10 minutes away by drive, but I’ve got a car here,” Zettler said.

For other students, getting to the store may mean carpooling or taking a shuttle that’s being offered by the university.

Courtney Kendall says she’s been driving to the Newport Kroger while she’s at UC because she likes the selection. She never set foot in the old Corryville store, even though it’s just steps off campus.

“Well, a lot of people say it’s not really like the nicest place to get groceries from - I don’t know if that sounds bad,” Kendall said.